When your air conditioner reaches the end of its life, you will be dealing with the cost and the logistical planning of purchasing a new system and having it installed. And that’s not something you want to do before it’s necessary. But you also don’t want to wait too long. Waiting could leave you in the middle of a heat wave with a dead air conditioner.
What is the right time to replace your air conditioner? Is there a point after which it’s simply not worth repairing an old air conditioner? Well, it’s a little more complex than a straightforward timeline. Here are the things to keep in mind as you’re deciding whether to repair or replace your old air conditioner.
How Old Is It?
A ten-year-old air conditioner is getting on in years. But it might still have two or even three more summers before it can’t keep going. On the other hand, sometimes an air conditioner has experienced so much wear and tear by six or seven years that it isn’t worth investing much more money into. How can you tell which is the case for your air conditioner?
Is It Well-Maintained?
Annual maintenance is simply a necessity for an air conditioner. A professional technician will clean the entire system, lubricate moving parts, check every component for problems or damage, and test all the electrical parts. When this is done consistently, wear and tear on the air conditioner will be minimized. This helps the air conditioner to age more slowly.
Does It Require Repair Now?
Perhaps you’re just vaguely concerned about the age of your air conditioner. But if you have a pressing problem that requires repair, you really need to decide if the repair is worth investing in. Get an estimate of what that repair will cost. Is it a lot? Some people say you should only have an air conditioner repaired if the expense will be less than half of what it would cost to replace the system.
Does It Require Repair Often?
Even if the repair you currently need won’t break the bank, or cost more than half of a new air conditioner’s pricetag, it might not be worth it. Even minor, inexpensive repairs add up in cost. And if your air conditioner requires repair every year, or is requiring repair more and more often, this trend will only continue as it gets older.
Is It Inefficient?
Maintenance will help to counteract the wear and tear that makes an air conditioner lose efficiency. But there will come a day when that simply isn’t enough. Your air conditioner will use more and more energy, driving up your utility bill.
The other thing to consider is that modern high-efficiency air conditioners have huge advantages over your old system. Even when it was new, it used a lot more electricity than the systems being manufactured today! Choosing AC replacement in Joliet, IL could mean lowering your bills and doing Mother Nature a kindness by using less energy.
If you still aren’t sure which is the right choice, we’re happy to talk through your existing system and your home’s needs and help you come to a conclusion you’ll be confident in.
Call J&A today, Sleep-tight tonight!